Development and energy savings analysis of active thermal switches with thermal storage for dynamic building envelopes in residential buildings
- 1National Laboratory of the Rockies, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, USA
- 2National Laboratory of the Rockies, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401, USA; Corresponding author
Abstract
This study presents the design, experimental evaluation, and energy savings potential of an active thermal switch technology for building envelopes, enabling variable thermal resistance. The switch incorporates a low-power motor and a Raspberry Pi-based control for programmable switching, real-time monitoring, and fault detection. The effective thermal conductivity of a switch inserted into a 10 in × 10 in (0.064 m 2 ) insulation is measured to ∼0.046 W/m-K in the OFF state and 0.258–0.316 W/m-K in the ON state. Cyclability tests over 225 thermal cycles show no performance degradation. Outdoor tests using scaled-down models demonstrate improved performance of wall-integrated phase change materials (PCMs). Building energy simulations on single-family residential homes across various US cities’ climates indicate that integrating these switches with PCM-based thermal storage can reduce annual heating and cooling energy use by up to 1,090 kWh and energy costs by up to $286, with average savings of 738 kWh (24%) and $130 (24%), respectively. Science for society: This study explores an active thermal switch technology that enables buildings to better manage heat flow and reduce energy use. Thermal switches can automatically change thermal resistance, thus controlling how much heat passes through a building envelope depending on outdoor conditions. During mild weather, such as cool summer nights or warm winter days, the switches allow heat to move in or out to help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. During extreme heat or cold, they act like insulation to reduce undesired heat transfer. This research presents the design and testing of an active thermal switch system that uses a small low-power motor and a Raspberry Pi-based controller for automated operation, monitoring, and fault detection. When combined with phase change material thermal storage, the system can store and release heat more effectively, improving overall building efficiency.
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BibTeX
@article{xiao2026development,
title = {{Development and energy savings analysis of active thermal switches with thermal storage for dynamic building envelopes in residential buildings}},
author = {Zhiying Xiao and Sajith Wijesuriya and Ravi Anant Kishore and Tim J. LaClair and Chuck Booten},
journal = {Cell Reports Sustainability},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100817},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100817},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Development and energy savings analysis of active thermal switches with thermal storage for dynamic building envelopes in residential buildings
AU - Zhiying Xiao
AU - Sajith Wijesuriya
AU - Ravi Anant Kishore
AU - Tim J. LaClair
AU - Chuck Booten
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/25
JO - Cell Reports Sustainability
DO - 10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100817
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crsus.2026.100817
AB - This study presents the design, experimental evaluation, and energy savings potential of an active thermal switch technology for building envelopes, enabling variable thermal resistance. The switch incorporates a low-power motor and a Raspberry Pi-based control for programmable switching, real-time monitoring, and fault detection. The effective thermal conductivity of a switch inserted into a 10 in × 10 in (0.064 m 2 ) insulation is measured to ∼0.046 W/m-K in the OFF state and 0.258–0.316 W/m-K in the ON state. Cyclability tests over 225 thermal cycles show no performance degradation. Outdoor tests using scaled-down models demonstrate improved performance of wall-integrated phase change materials (PCMs). Building energy simulations on single-family residential homes across various US cities’ climates indicate that integrating these switches with PCM-based thermal storage can reduce annual heating and cooling energy use by up to 1,090 kWh and energy costs by up to $286, with average savings of 738 kWh (24%) and $130 (24%), respectively. Science for society: This study explores an active thermal switch technology that enables buildings to better manage heat flow and reduce energy use. Thermal switches can automatically change thermal resistance, thus controlling how much heat passes through a building envelope depending on outdoor conditions. During mild weather, such as cool summer nights or warm winter days, the switches allow heat to move in or out to help maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. During extreme heat or cold, they act like insulation to reduce undesired heat transfer. This research presents the design and testing of an active thermal switch system that uses a small low-power motor and a Raspberry Pi-based controller for automated operation, monitoring, and fault detection. When combined with phase change material thermal storage, the system can store and release heat more effectively, improving overall building efficiency.
SN - 2949-7906
ER -